Multiple-unit switch



Dec. 18 1923. 1,478,042

H. T. MARTIN /m/en for: Haro/o 7.- Mar/h.

i Dec, 18, 1923. 1,478,042

H. T. MARTIN MULTIPLE UNIT SWITCH Filed Aug. 11, 1920 2 sheeis-sheet 2 j v M HI .s /FMQMQLQMEJE A lm ma mi H: i

\ ill i 1 I IQ Q /n venfor.- Haro/d 7.- Mar/7n.

Patented Dec. 18, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD T. MARTIN, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COM- PANY, INCORPORATED, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MULTIPLE-UNIT SWITCH.

Application tiled yAugust 11, 1920.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD T. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State or" New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multiple- Unit Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to electrical switching apparatus and more particularly to multiple unit or so-called gang switches.

The objects in view leading to the present invention were the provision of a simple, compact, readily accessible multiple unit switch wherein all the units are operable simultaneously by a common operating means, and the provision of a simple self contained interchangeable multiple contact switch unit particularly adapted for use in the abo-ve switch.

In accordance with the above enumerated objects, one feature of this invention is a self contained interchangeable multiple contact switch unit consisting of a stationary multiple contact unit and a removable contact plunger unit. The stationary unit comprises a plurality of stationary contacts mounted in a row in a block of insulating material and a metal channel member inside of which the block of insulating material together with the contacts is mounted. The contact plunger unit comprises a hollow cylindrical shell, a contact plunger, and a helical spring mounted inside the yhollow shell. The plunger unit is slidably attached to the channel member of the stationary unit and the contact plunger is arranged to make contact with each of the stationary contact members individually.

Other features of the invention reside in the combination of the several elements of the switch.

A detailed description of the multiple unit switch comprising this invention will now be given.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1, is a fragmentary plan view of the switch, in

. which a part of the base plate is broken away in order to show more clearly the interror mechanism; Fig. 2, 1s a sectional v1ew serial No. 402,867.

taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Attached to and extending at right angles from the base plate l, are a number of brackets 2, to which, in turn, is attached a plate 3, preferably of insulating material. Attached to one'side of the plate 3 and arranged in parallel rows thereon, are a num ber of metal channel shaped members 10. To the inside of each of which is secured a block of insulating materia-l 9, and in each block 9, there is mounted a row of stationary contact members 5, 6, 7 and 8, each of which is provided with a solderin terminal 27, extending through plate 3. lidably mounted on the channel member 1() of each unit is a hollow cylindrical shell 13, provided with a rectangular head having re-` cesses, one on eachk side thereof which engage the inwardly projecting edges of the channel member. A contact plunger 15 is mounted in the hollow cylindrical shell and a helical spring 16 therein, retains the contact plunger in contact with the stationary contact members 5, 6, 7 and 8. The helical spring 16 not only provides the contact pressure required between the contact plunger 15 and its associated stationary contact but also provides the pressure whereby good electrical contact is maintained between the shell 13 and the channel member 10.

It will be noted that contact member 6 differs from contact members 5, 7 and 8 in that it is provided with a nut 17 whereby it is in electrical contact with the channel member 10. Contact terminals 27 of contact members 6 are, therefore, the means whereby contact plungers 15 are connected in circuit. The contacting surface of Contact member 6 has no function, other than to help lill the gap between contact members 5 and 7 This arrangement facilitates manufacture.

Slidably mounted in the brackets 11 and parallel with the plate 3 is a second plate of insulating material 12. Apertures are provided in the pl-ate 12 through which the cylindrical shells 13 extend, the shells being rather loosely fitted in the apertures. The plate l2, together with the Contact plunger units, is movable longitudinally of the channel members "l0, by means ot the toothedrack 22 which is attached to the plate l2. Extending through the base alato l, is a shaft 19, to the inner end of which is` secured a pinion l() operably engaging the rack Q2.V `Tothe outer end ot the shaft i9 is secured a hand wheel 2l, by means of which the shaft and pinion are rotated. ltotation of the hand wheel eiiects movement of all the contact plunger units simultaneously.

`Securely mounted on the shaft i9 and rotatable therewith is a disk 23 provided with three notches on its periphery, positioned to correspond with the three operative positions otl the switch. hn arn'iature 2li is normally pressed against disk 23 by the tension ot spring 25 and is arranged to engage the notches in the disk 23 so as to lool; the switch in any ot its operative posi- 7 tions, preventing its operation except when any warping of the plates 5 and l2,

theelectromagnet 26 is energized. rlhe electromagnet 26 upon energizing, attracts its armature 24, pulling it out ot engagement withV the disk 23 permitting the switch to be operated. The circuit ot the electromagnet 26 is intended to be remotely controlled.

Y The self contained switch units above described, are particularly advantageous on account ofbeing independent in operation, oi or slight misalignment thereof. rlihere is also a further advantage in this arrangement, in that the contact plunger units can be readily removed trom the plate l2, as well as from the channel member l0.

What is claimed is:

l. A multiple unit switch comprising a base, a plate secured to and extending at right angles tromsaid base, a second plate situated in superposed relation to said tirst mentionedv plate and movable in a directif'fn parallel to its plane, a plurality of self contained multiple contact switch units, each comprising a stationary member and a movable contact member, each stationary men ber comprising a plurality ot contact points situated ina row and insulated one trom the other and a channel member on which. the movable contact member is slidably mounted, said stationary member being mount ed on said first mentioned plate and said movable contact member being mounted on said movable plate.

2. A multiple unit switch comprising a base, a plate secured to and extending at right angles trom said base, a plurality ot stationary multiple contact switch units se cured tol said plate, a plurality oi contact plunger units, one for each multiple contact switch unit, each contact plunger unit opermaracas ably engaging its respective stationary multiple contact switch unit and forming therewith a seh contained switch unit, a second plate operably engaging said plunger units arranged sarallel to said hist mentioned plate and adapted 'to be moved iormird and back in direction parallel to its plane, a toothed raclr secured said second plate, a pinion engaging said raclr and a hand wheel tor rotating said pinion.

3. A, multiple unit switch comprising a base, a plate secured to and extending at right angles from said base, a plurality of stationary multiple contact units secured to said plate, a plurality oit contact plunger units, one tor each multiple contact switch unit, each contact plunger unit operably engaging its respective multiple contact switch unit and forming therewith a seit contained switch unit, a second plate having a plurality apertures, one tor each plunger unit and through which said plunger units ei;- tend, said second plate being arrange-d parallel to and in tace to tace relation to said first mentioned plate and adapted to be moved forward and back in a direction parallel to its plane, a toothed rach secured to said second plate, a pinion engaging said rack, a hand wheel tor rotating said pinion, a. locking device operable to retain the switch in any or its operated positions, and electromagnetic means -tor releasing said locking device.,

, d. A multiple unit switch comprising a base, a plate secured to and extending at right angles from said base, a plurality of stationary multiple contact switch units secured to said plate, a plurality ot cont ct plunger units, one for each multiple contact switch unit, each contact plunger unit operably engaging its respective multiple contact switch unit and forming therewith a selt contained switch unit, a second plate operably engaging said plunger units arranged parallel to said first mentioned plate and adapted to be moved forward and bach in a direction parallel to its plane, a toothed rack secured to said second plate, a shalt extending through said base, pinion on said shaft operably engaging said raclr, means for rotating said shaft together with said pinion, a disk secured to and concentric with said shaft, provided with a plurality ot notches, one *tor each operative position ci" the switch, an armature adapted to engage said notches and thereby loch the switch in any predetermined position and electromagnetic means cooperating with said armature Afor releasing the switch `to permit operation thereof.

5. A selit contained multiple contact switch unit, comprising a stationary member and a movable member, said stationary member comprising a plurality oi' contact members situated in a row and insulated one from the other, a channel member to the plunger being adapted to engage said stainside 0f which said contact members are intionary contact members individually in sulatively attached, said movable member seriatim.

comprising a hollow shell, slidably mounted In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe on said channel member, a 'contact plunger, my name this 7th day of August A. D., and a spring for actuating said contact plun- 1920.

ger mounted inside said shell, said contact HAROLD T. MARTIN. 

